Count the value of a cell within a range only if it is adjacent to a specific value

Hi,

For simpleness I will list a very small range of A1:C10 In each cell I have one letter signifying a color code. For instance, cell A1 has a value of "b". Cell B1 has a value of "c". This might repeat in cells B10 and C10. I can manually look at the cells and count them. There would be two, but I want Excel to search and count the two values within my range for me, because... as the range expands I could miss a count.

FYI: If I have nine cells A1:C3, and in cell B2 I have "b", I don't care which cell "c" is in, as long as it is adjacent to the cell with a "b", I would like Excel to count it as one, but I think that might make the formula more complicated... If it's easier to have Excel look only to the cell adjacent on the right then I'm ok with that as well.

I know how to do this using two columns at a time, but I want to use a range, so I don't have so many cells with all the formulas. Anyone up to helping me?

Thank you so much!

That is awesome! Since you are correct where it counted more than I wanted to, I tweaked your formula.

=SUMPRODUCT((F6:F9="a")*(G6:G9="b")+(H6:H9="a")*(I6:I9="b"))

I will have to create this formula for every 16 squares and I will also need to change my letters, but hey. I like it!

Thank you so much!!!

Here is a picture of my sample project.
pixel quilt sample.jpg
Since this is a design to sew, I realized I only needed to find adjacent cells between two columns because I will only sew two at a time.
Now that you helped me I can modify the column from top of the range to the bottom of the range.

Nice!